Egfl7 与非小细胞肺癌上皮间质转化关系的研究

目的:研究Egfl7与非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)上皮间质转化标志物E-cadherin,Vimentin的相关性,探讨Egfl7是否参与NSCLC的上皮间质转化(EMT)。方法:分别采用免疫组化法和RT-PCR法检测40例NSCLC组织和20例肺癌旁正常肺组织中Egfl7,E-cadherin和Vimentin蛋白和mRNA的表达情况。结果:1).NSCLC组织中的Egfl7蛋白和mRNA的表达水平明显高于癌旁正常肺组织;其差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。Egfl7的表达水平与肺癌的临床分期、及淋巴结转移密切相关(p0.05)。结论:NSCLC组织中Egfl7高表达,Egfl7可能与NSCLC的侵袭性相关;Egfl7与E-cadherin呈负相关,与Vimentin表达成正相关,Egfl7可能参与了NSCLC患者的上皮间质转化(EMT)过程,阻断Egfl7信号可能会抑制NSCLC患者的ENT。     

PRDX1、HMGA2、FMNL2在胃癌组织中的表达及与临床病理特征、上皮间充质转化和预后的关系研究

摘要 目的：探讨过氧化物酶1（PRDX1）、高迁移率族蛋白A2（HMGA2）、同源形成素样蛋白2（FMNL2）在胃癌组织中的表达及与临床病理特征、上皮-间充质转化（EMT）和预后的关系。方法：选取2017年1月～2018年2月我院收治的153例胃癌患者,收集术中癌组织和癌旁组织。采用免疫组化法检测PRDX1、HMGA2、FMNL2、波形蛋白（VIM）、上皮细胞钙黏蛋白（E-cad）阳性表达情况,采用实时定量PCR（qRT-PCR）法检测PRDX1、HMGA2、FMNL2、VIM、E-cad mRNA相对表达量。分析胃癌组织中PRDX1、HMGA2、FMNL2表达与临床病理特征、EMT和预后的关系。结果：与癌旁组织比较,胃癌组织中PRDX1、HMGA2、FMNL2、VIM阳性表达率和mRNA相对表达量升高,E-cad阳性表达率和mRNA相对表达量降低（P＜0.05）。胃癌组织中PRDX1、HMGA2、FMNL2阳性表达率与患者TNM分期、淋巴结转移、远处转移有关（P＜0.05）。Pearson相关性分析结果显示,胃癌组织中PRDX1、HMGA2、FMNL2 mRNA相对表达量与VIM mRNA相对表达量呈正相关（r=0.562、0.517、0.621,P均＜0.05）,与E-cad mRNA相对表达量呈负相关（r=-0.603、-0.544、-0.574,P均＜0.05）。153例胃癌患者术后3年累积生存率为68.44%（106/153）。Kaplan-Meier生存曲线分析结果显示,PRDX1、HMGA2、FMNL2阳性组术后3年累积生存率均低于阴性组（P＜0.05）。结论：胃癌组织中PRDX1、HMGA2、FMNL2表达升高,其表达与TNM分期、淋巴结转移、远处转移、EMT以及预后有关,可作为胃癌病情和预后的辅助评估指标。     

TDGF-1在胃癌中表达的意义及其在上皮间质转化中的作用

探讨胚胎瘤衍生生长因子(teratocarcinoma-derived growth factor-1,TDGF-1)在胃癌中表达的临床意义及其与上皮间质转化(epithelial-mesenchymal transition,EMT)的关系.分别采用免疫组化SP法和逆转录-聚合酶连反应(RT-PCR)方法,检测胃癌组织和正常胃组织中TDGF-1、E-cadherin、Vimentin的表达情况(IHC70例;RT-PCR40例),分析TDGF-1表达与临床病理特征的关系及TDGF-1、E-cadherin、Vimentin三者表达的相关性.TDGF-1、E-cadherin、Vimentin蛋白在胃癌组织中的阳性表达率分别为70%、34.3%、52.9%,在正常胃组织中的阳性表达率分别为38.5%、94.3%、15.7%(P<0.05);TDGF-1、E-cadherin、Vimentin mRNA在胃癌组织中的阳性表达率分别为67.5%、37.5%、52.5%,在正常胃组织中的阳性表达率分别为35%、87.5%、22.5%(P<0.05);TDGF-1蛋白和mRNA的表达均与胃癌的浸润深度、淋巴结转移及TNM分期显著相关(P<0.05);TDGF-1高表达与E-cadherin表达减低显著相关(r=-0.447、P<0.05),TDGF-1高表达与Vimentin表达升高显著相关(r=0.318、P<0.05),E-cadherin表达减低与Vimentin表达升高显著相关(r=-0.283、P<0.05).TDGF-1可能通过调控E-cadherin、Vi-mentin表达促进EMT,从而在胃癌的侵袭转移中发挥重要作用.     

microRNA-221在胃癌中的表达及临床意义

目的:研究microRNA-221及E-cadherin在胃癌组织中的表达及其临床意义。方法:选取哈尔滨医科大学附属四院2014年-2016年收治的的胃癌患者50例,分别取胃癌及癌旁正常组织作为研究组及对照组。分别应用实时荧光定量PCR及免疫组织化学方法检测其中microRNA-221及E-cadherin的表达。结果:micro RNA-221在胃癌组织中的表达较正常组织显著增高(P0.05),E-cadherin在胃癌组织中的阳性表达率较正常组织显著降低。胃癌组织中microRNA-221的表达与患者的TNM分期、淋巴结转移及远处转移具有显著相关性(P0.05),E-cadherin的表达与患者淋巴结转移及远处转移具有显著相关性(P0.05)。胃癌患者中E-cadherin阴性表达者microRNA-221的相对表达量明显高于E-cadherin阳性表达者(P0.05)。结论:microRNA-221在胃癌组织中呈高表达,E-cadherin在胃癌组织中呈低表达,二者在胃癌组织中的表达呈负相关。microRNA-221可能通过影响上皮细胞间充质转化影响胃癌的浸润与转移。     

NF-kB 与Slug 在非小细胞肺癌及其上皮间质转化中的作用

目的:研究核因子NF-kB与slug在非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)中的表达情况、及二者与非小细胞肺癌上皮间质转化(EMT)的关系,为非小细胞肺癌的诊断治疗提供理论依据。方法:(1)采用免疫组化PV9000二步法测定50例NSCLC组织及20例相应正常肺组织中NF-kBP65、slug、E-cadherin及Vimentin蛋白表达情况。(2)采用RT-PCR测定其中25例NSCLC组织及10例相应正常肺组织中NF-kBP65、slug的mRNA表达情况。结果:NSCLC中NF-kBP65蛋白表达量高于癌旁正常肺组织(Z=-2.370,P<0.05),NF-kBP65mRNA表达量明显高于癌旁正常肺组织(t=4.967,P<0.01);Slug蛋白表达量明显高于癌旁正常肺组织(Z=-4.443,P<0.01),SlugmRNA表达量明显高于癌旁正常肺组织(t=6.483,P<0.01)。在NF-kBP65阳性癌组织中,E-cadherin蛋白表达下降(x2=5.024,P<0.05),Vimentin蛋白表达上升(x2=4.723,P<0.05);Slug阳性癌组织中,E-cadherin蛋白表达下调(x2=5.984,P<0.05),Vimentin表达上调(x2=5.028,P<0.05)。另外,NF-kBP65与Slug在蛋白水平呈极显著正相关(r=0.443,P<0.01),在mRNA水平呈显著正相关(r=0.439,P<0.05)。NF-kB与分化程度(x2=5.024,P<0.05)、有无淋巴结转移(x2=7.933,P<0.01)及肿瘤的分期(x2=5.614,P<0.05)有关,与性别、年龄、组织类型无明显相关性(P>0.05);Slug与淋巴结转移(x2=6.174,P<0.05)及肿瘤的分期(x2=7.317,P<0.01)有关,与性别、年龄、组织类型、分化程度无明显相关性(P>0.05)。结论:NF-kB、Slug在NSCLC中表达增强,可能与NSCLC的发生、发展、转移有关;并且NF-kB与Slug可能协同抑制E-cadherin表达,促进Vimentin表达,诱使NSCLC的EMT发生,从而为进一步研究NSCLC的EMT提供理论依据。     

Livin在结肠癌中的表达及与上皮-间质转化的关系

目的探讨livin在结肠癌组织中表达的临床意义及其与上皮-间质转化(epithelial mesenchymal transition,EMT)的关系。方法应用免疫组织化学方法检测70例结肠癌及相应癌旁正常结肠黏膜组织中livin和EMT标志物的表达,对livin表达与结肠癌临床病理特征及livin与EMT标志物表达的相关性进行统计学分析。应用Western blot法检测8例新鲜结肠癌组织中livin与E-cadherin、vimentin和N-cadherin表达情况。结果结肠癌组织中livin的表达阳性率为61.4%,明显高于相应癌旁正常结肠黏膜组织中livin的表达阳性率8.6%;livin表达与结肠癌患者淋巴结转移和TNM分期有明显相关性。E-cadherin、vimentin和N-cadherin在结肠癌组织中阳性表达率分别为35.7%、32.9%和60%;livin与E-cadherin的表达呈负相关,与vimentin和N-cadherin表达呈正相关。Western blot结果也证实livin高表达的结肠癌组织中,E-cadherin呈低表达,vimentin和N-cadherin呈高表达。结论 Livin表达与结肠癌组织EMT标志物有关,livin可能通过诱导结肠癌细胞发生EMT,从而促进结肠癌的侵袭和转移。     

Snail基因及其蛋白、E-cadherin蛋白在胃癌中的表达及其临床意义

目的观察Snail mRNA及其蛋白、E-cadherin蛋白在胃癌组织中的表达及其与胃癌临床病理特征的关系,并探讨它们在胃癌发生、发展中的作用及其临床应用价值。方法收集96例手术切除胃癌标本,同时取80例癌旁组织作为对照。应用免疫组织化学S-P法检测胃癌组织、癌旁组织中snail蛋白、E-cadherin蛋白的表达;运用原位分子杂交技术检测胃癌组织、癌旁组织中Snail mRNA的表达。结果（1）Snail蛋白在胃癌组织阳性率（83.3%）显著高于癌旁组织（41.25%）（P〈0.05）;高、中分化组Snail蛋白阳性表达率显著低于低分化组（P〈0.05）;Snail蛋白的阳性表达率在乳头状腺癌、管状腺癌及低分化腺癌与黏液癌之间差异有显著性（P〈0.05）;Snail蛋白的表达与胃癌浸润深度、淋巴结转移及远处转移有关（P〈0.05）,与性别、年龄、肿瘤大小、肿瘤部位及临床分期无关（P〉0.05）;（2）胃癌组织中snail mR-NA的阳性率（76%）显著高于癌旁组织（30%）（P〈0.05）;高、中分化组Snail mRNA阳性表达率显著低于低分化组（P〈0.05）;Snail mRNA的阳性表达率在乳头状腺癌、管状腺癌及低分化腺癌与黏液癌之间差异有显著性（P〈0.05）;Snail mRNA的表达与浸润深度及淋巴结转移有关（P〈0.05）,与性别、年龄、肿瘤大小、肿瘤部位、临床分期及远处转移无关（P〉0.05）;（3）E-cadherin蛋白在胃癌组织阳性率（37.5%）显著低于癌旁组织（100%）（P〈0.05）;高、中分化组E-cadherin蛋白阳性率显著高于低分化组（P〈0.05）;E-cadherin蛋白阳性率在乳头状腺癌、管状腺癌及低分化腺癌与黏液癌之间差异有显著性（P〈0.05）;E-cadherin蛋白的表达与胃癌浸润深度、淋巴结转移、临床分期及远处转移有关（P〈0.05）,与性别、年龄、肿瘤大小、肿瘤部位均无关（P〉0.05）;（4）胃癌组织中snail mRNA和snail蛋白的表达呈正相关（r=0.594,P〈0.05）;Snail蛋白和E-cadherin蛋白的表达呈负相关（r=-0.234,P〈0.05）。结论（1）E-cadher-in蛋白低表达与Snail蛋白高表达可能是胃黏膜恶性转变以及胃癌发生浸润转移的重要生物学标志;联合检测E-cadherin蛋白与Snail蛋白对预测胃癌浸润转移有重要意义。（2）Snail蛋白可能在转录水平上调控E-cadherin蛋白的表达。     

CYB5D2对乳腺癌皮下移植瘤模型大鼠肿瘤生长的影响

[目的]研究CYB5D2对乳腺癌皮下移植瘤模型大鼠肿瘤生长的影响。[方法]通过乳腺癌MCF-7细胞系建立乳腺癌裸鼠皮下移植瘤动物模型。将含有CYB5D2表达的质粒稳定转染MCF-7细胞,多点注射,将稳定转染的细胞注入裸鼠皮下,作为观察组,同时设置shRNA-CYB5D2阴性质粒为阴性对照组,PBS为空白对照组。测量各组大鼠肿瘤体积及质量;裸鼠转移瘤模型建立成功后处死小鼠,qRT-CPR法检测肿瘤组织内CYB5D2 mRNA表达水平;Western Blot法检测各组裸鼠转移瘤组织内上皮细胞间质转化(EMT)标志表白表达情况,酶联免疫吸附法检测裸鼠转移瘤细胞上清液中MMP-2及MMP-9水平。[结果]观察组转移瘤平均体积及质量显著低于阴性组与空白组(P<0.05),阴性组与空白组裸鼠转移瘤体积及质量无明显差异(P>0.05)。提取试验小鼠肿瘤组织总RNA,qRT-CPR法检测提示观察组肿瘤组织内CYB5D2 mRNA表达量显著高于阴性组及空白对照组(P<0.05),而阴性组与空白组间差异无显著性差异(P>0.05);Western Blot法检测结果显示,观察组转移瘤组织内E-cadherin、β-catenin蛋白表达水平显著高于与阴性组及空白组(P<0.05),而N-cadherin及Snail蛋白表达显著低于与阴性组及空白组(P<0.05)。阴性组与空白组转移瘤组织内E-cadherin、β-catenin、N-cadherin及Snail蛋白表达无显著性差异(P>0.05);观察组裸鼠转移瘤细胞上清液中MMP-2及MMP-9水平显著低于与阴性组及空白组(P<0.05),而阴性组与对照组MMP-2及MMP-9水平无显著性差异(P>0.05)。[结论]上调CYB5D2基因可有效抑制乳腺癌皮下移植模型大鼠瘤体生长,推测上调CYB5D2基因可能通过下调N-cadherin、Snail、MMP2及MMP9,上调E-cadherin、β-catenin,逆转EMT,发挥抗肿瘤功效。     

TGF-β1在乳腺癌中下调E-cadherin、上调N-cadherin和促进侵袭转移

目的探讨乳腺癌中转化生长因子-β1(transforming growth factor-β1,TGF-β1)与上皮性钙粘蛋白E-cadherin和神经性钙粘蛋白N-cadherin水平的关系及在肿瘤侵袭、转移中的临床意义。方法采用免疫组织化学染色检测230例乳腺癌组织芯片及相应癌旁组织中TGF-β1、E-cadherin和N-cadherin的免疫组织化学表达,与乳腺癌临床病理资料进行对照分析,并比较三者表达水平的相关性。将不同浓度的TGF-β1处理乳腺癌细胞检测E-cadherin和N-cadherin免疫反应性,并通过Transwell实验检测TGF-β1对乳腺癌细胞侵袭能力的影响。结果免疫组织化学染色显示,在乳腺癌组织中,TGF-β1和N-cadherin的阳性率明显高于癌旁组织,而E-cadherin的阳性率明显低于癌旁组织。TGF-β1的阳性率随着组织学分级的升高而升高,且在5年后复发的病人中的阳性率显著高于没有复发的病人;E-cadherin的表达与组织学分级呈负相关,且在有淋巴结转移和5年后复发的病人中的阳性率显著低于无淋巴结转移和未复发的病人;与E-cadherin相反,N-cadherin在有淋巴结转移和5年后复发的病人中的阳性率显著高于无淋巴结转移和5年未复发的病人。E-cadherin表达与N-cadherin和TGF-β1表达水平呈显著负相关,而N-cadherin表达与TGF-β1表达具有显著正相关性。TGF-β1处理可降低MCF-7乳腺癌细胞和MDA-MB-231乳腺癌细胞中E-cadherin水平及上调N-cadherin水平,并显著增加两种乳腺癌细胞的侵袭和迁移能力。结论乳腺癌组织中TGF-β1、E-cadherin、N-cadherin的表达与肿瘤上皮间质转化引起的侵袭转移和预后密切相关,检测其免疫组织化学表达对临床指导预后具有重要意义。     

IARS2在胃癌预后中的临床应用

为检测IARS2和MYO5B在胃癌组织中的表达并探讨IARS2表达与胃癌患者临床病理特征及预后的关系,本研究使用荧光定量PCR (quantitative polymerase chain reaction, qRT-PCR)及Western blotting检测30例胃癌组织和癌旁组织中IARS2和MYO5B的表达,使用线性回归分析两者m RNA表达相关性。使用免疫组化方法检测86对胃癌组织及癌旁组织中IARS2蛋白的表达情况,根据免疫组化IARS2表达情况将胃癌患者分为IARS2阳性组和阴性组,比较两组患者临床病理特征及预后情况。结果发现,较之癌旁组织,IASR2在胃癌组织中显著高表达(p<0.05),而MYO5B在胃癌组织中显著低表达(p<0.05),且两者表达负相关(r=0.5768, p=0.0008)。免疫组化显示IASR2阳性细胞在胃癌组织中的阳性率为70.9%。IASR2高表达提示更高的胃癌淋巴结转移(p=0.041)和TNM分期(p=0.004)及更低的患者术后5年总生存率(p=0.000 6)。研究提示IARS2在胃癌组织中高表达,可作为评估胃癌预后的标志物。     

miR-154 inhibits EMT by targeting HMGA2 in prostate cancer cells

Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a crucial process that plays an important role in the invasion and metastasis of human cancers. High-mobility group AT-hook 2 (HMGA2) has been found to be involved in the EMT program, with its aberrant expression having been observed in a variety of malignant tumors. However, the mechanisms regulating HMGA2 expression remain incompletely understood. The objective of this study was to investigate whether mir-154 plays a critical role in EMT by regulating HMGA2. The expression levels of HMGA2 were examined in four samples of prostate cancer (PCa) tissue and adjacent non-tumorous tissue by Western blot analysis. The effects of forced expression of miR-154 or HMGA2 knockdown on PCa cells were evaluated by cell migration and invasion assays and Western blot analysis. HMGA2 was upregulated in the PCa tissue samples compared with the adjacent normal ones. Forced expression of miR-154 or HMGA2 knockdown significantly reduced the migratory and invasive capabilities of PCa cells in vitro and inhibited EMT gene expression, increased the levels of E-cadherin, an epithelial marker, and decreased the levels of vimentin, a mesenchymal marker. HMGA2 is a direct target gene of miR-154 by dual-luciferase reporter assay. Our findings suggest that miR-154 plays a role in regulating EMT by targeting HMGA2. Understanding the targets and regulating pathways of miR-154 may provide new insights into the underlying pathogenesis of PCa.     

N-cadherin expression is involved in malignant behavior of head and neck cancer in relation to epithelial-mesenchymal transition

The loss of E-cadherin and the gain of N-cadherin expression are known as "cadherin switching". Cadherin switching is a major hallmark of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). EMT is a crucial process in cancer progression, providing cancer cells with the ability to escape from the primary focus, to invade stromal tissues and to migrate to distant regions. Although down-regulation of E-cadherin is well known in various cancers, there are a few studies on N-cadherin expression in cancer. Here, therefore, we investigated whether N-cadherin expression was associated with the progression of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). First, we examined the expression of N-cadherin by immunohistochemistry and its correlation with clinico-pathological findings. High expression of N-cadherin was observed in 52 of 80 HNSCC cases and was significantly correlated with malignant behaviors. Next, we examined the correlation between N-cadherin and E-cadherin. Cadherin switching (high expression of N-cadherin and low expression of E-cadherin) was found in 30 of 80 HNSCC cases and was well correlated with histological differentiation, pattern of invasion and lymph node metastasis in HNSCC cases. Moreover, we examined the expression of N-cadherin and E-cadherin by RT-PCR in 16 HNSCC cell lines to confirm the immunohistochemical findings. N-cadherin expression was observed in 7 of 16 HNSCC cells, and cadherin switching was observed in 2 HNSCC cells. Interestingly, HNSCC cells with cadherin switching have EMT features. In conclusion, we suggest that i) N-cadherin may play an important role in malignant behaviors of HNSCC, and ii) cadherin switching might be considered as a discrete critical event in EMT and metastatic potential of HNSCC.     

DDX5、E-cadherin在非小细胞肺癌中的表达及其临床意义

目的:探讨DEAD-box家族的DDX5(RNA解旋酶)和E-钙黏蛋白(E-cadherin)在非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)组织中表达,并分析其临床病理意义。方法:采用免疫组织化学方法(SP法)和Western blot法检测手术切除的NSCLC组织74例及癌旁组织(距肿瘤5 cm)36例中DDX5和E-cadherin的表达情况,并对其与NSCLC患者的临床病理特征的相关性进行统计学分析。结果:NSCLC组织中DDX5的阳性表达率显著高于癌旁组织(63.5%vs 30.6%),E-cadherin的阳性表达率显著低于癌旁组织(60.8%vs 100%),差异均具有统计学意义(P0.05);DDX5和E-cadherin蛋白的表达水平与NSCLC的TNM分期以及淋巴结是否转移具有显著相关性(P0.05),但二者与NSCLC患者的年龄、性别和肿瘤组织类型均无显著相关性(P0.05)。DDX5和E-cadherin蛋白的表达呈显著负相关(r=-0.327,P0.05)。结论:DDX5的过度表达及E-cadherin的表达下调可能参与了NSCLC的发生发展,且二者在其中可能也具有相互作用的关系。     

COX-2和IL-1在甲状腺乳头状癌组织中的表达

目的探讨COX-2和IL-1在甲状腺乳头状癌组织中的表达及其在肿瘤的发生和发展中的作用。方法收集武汉大学人民医院和武汉大学中南医院病理科2000-2006年手术切除及活检的甲状腺乳头状癌标本共40例,另取癌周围组织5例作对照。采用免疫组织化学方法观察各组组织内COX-2和IL-1的表达。利用HPIAS-2000图像分析系统测定COX-2和IL-1在癌及癌旁组中表达的平均光密度和平均阳性面积率。结果甲状腺乳头状癌组织中COX-2和IL-1呈高表达;癌旁组织中COX-2和IL-1呈低表达。图像分析结果显示两组间差异有显著性意义（P〈0.01）。结论IL-1可能通过诱导COX-2的表达,在促进肿瘤的发生和发展中起作用。     

胃癌组织中15-PGDH的表达特征及其临床意义

目的:探讨15-羟基前列腺素脱氢酶(15-PGDH)在胃癌组织和癌旁正常组织中的表达及其与临床病理特征的关系,初步评价15-PGDH在胃癌发生、发展中的作用及其意义。方法:随机收集60例胃癌手术病人的癌组织及相应癌旁正常组织,应用免疫组织化学检测15-PGDH表达特征并进行评分,进一步分析15-PGDH的表达与胃癌临床病理参数的关系。结果:胃癌组织中15-PGDH的表达水平显著降低甚至缺失(p<0.01)。结合胃癌的临床病理学特征统计分析表明,15-PGDH在低分化胃癌中明显低于高分化胃癌中的表达(p<0.05);15-PGDH在TNMⅢ期和Ⅳ期患者的胃癌组织中的染色明显低于在Ⅰ期和Ⅱ期组织中的表达(p<0.05);存在淋巴结转移的胃癌组织中15-PGDH表达显著低于无淋巴结转移胃癌组织中的表达(p<0.01)。结论:胃癌中15-PGDH的表达减少或缺失可能是胃癌发生、发展及浸润转移的重要机制之一,15-PGDH在胃癌中可能扮演着抑癌基因的角色。     

Twist expression associated with the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in gastric cancer

This study aimed to investigate the expression of Twist in gastric cancer tissues and its correlation between Twist and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). By means of RT-PCR and Western blot, the mRNA and protein expressions of Twist, E-cadherin, and Vimentin in 61 gastric cancer tissues and adjacent normal tissues were detected. The positive rates of Twist, E-cadherin, and Vimentin mRNA expression in gastric cancer tissues were 73.9. 40.6, and 60.9 %, respectively; compared to the expression of these genes in adjacent normal tissues (2.9, 75.4, and 27.5 %), the differences were significant (p < 0.05). The E-cadherin protein expression level in gastric cancer tissues was significantly lower than that in the adjacent normal tissues (p < 0.05). After the transfection of Twist siRNA into the MKN45 cells, the protein expression of Twist was significantly reduced (p < 0.05), the protein expression of E-cadherin was significantly increased, and the number of cells that passed through the Transwell chamber was significantly lower than that in the non-transfected control group as well as the transfected control group (p < 0.05). Twist may be associated with the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in gastric cancer and the tumorigenesis, invasion, and metastasis of gastric cancer.     

LncRNA CRNDE promotes the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via enhancing the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

Colorectal neoplasia differentially expressed (CRNDE) is a significantly upregulated long noncoding RNA in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). CRNDE could promote cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, while its molecular mechanisms were still largely unclear. In this study, we investigated the expression and function of CRNDE. CRNDE was significantly upregulated in tumor tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues. In vitro, we revealed that knockdown of CRNDE inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and cell invasion capacities in HCC. Animal studies indicated that CRNDE knockdown represses both growth and metastasis of HCC tumors in vivo. Moreover, knockdown of CRNDE suppressed the cell epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process by increasing the expression of E-cadherin and ZO-1, whereas, decreasing the expression of N-cadherin, slug, twist, and vimentin in HCC cells. We also revealed that knockdown of CRNDE suppressed the Wnt/β-catenin signaling in HCC. Thus, CRNDE could modulate EMT of HCC cells and knockdown of CRNDE impaired the mesenchymal properties. CRNDE increased invasion of HCC cells might be through activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.     

Cadherin expression in ovarian carcinoma and malignant mesothelioma cell effusions

OBJECTIVE: To analyze potential differences in cadherin expression between ovarian carcinoma/primary peritoneal carcinoma (OC/PPC) and malignant mesothelioma (MM) at this anatomic site. STUDY DESIGN: MM (N=24) and OC/PPC (N= 53) effusions were analyzed for E-cadherin, N-cadherin and P-cadherin protein expression using immunocytochemistry. RESULTS: Both MM and OC/PPC cells showed frequent expression of all 3 cadherins. OC/PPC specimens expressed E-cadherin and N-cadherin in 52 of 53 cases and P-cadherin in 51 of 53 cases. MM effusions expressed E-cadherin, N-cadherin and P-cadherin in 22 of 24, 21 of24 and 23 of24 cases, respectively. The differences in the percentage of cadherin-positive cells was weakly significant for P-cadherin (higher expression in MM, p = 0.04), but E-cadherin and N-cadherin expression was comparable (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: MM and OC/PPC coexpress different cadherin family members. P-cadherin, E-cadherin and N-cadherin are not useful for differentiation between OC/PPC and MM in effusions.     

FBXO2, a novel marker for metastasis in human gastric cancer

FBXO2 belongs to the F-box family of proteins, is a cytoplasmic protein and ubiquitin ligase F-box protein with specificity for high-mannose glycoproteins. Recently published studies indicate that other members of the F-box family, such as SKP2 and FBXW7, are involved in the development of gastric cancer. The role of FBXO2 in the process of tumorigenesis, including gastric cancer, is still unknown. In this study, we show that the level of FBXO2 is highly correlated with lymph node metastasis, and that overall survival (OS) of patients with high FBXO2 expression is significantly shorter than patients with low FBXO2 expression. FBXO2 promoted the proliferation and migration of human gastric cancer cells, whereas knockdown of FBXO2 by siRNA led to a decrease in those activities. Down-regulating FBXO2 reduced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in gastric cancer cells, with increased expression of E-cadherin and decreased expression of N-cadherin and vimentin. In summary, our findings suggest that FBXO2-regulated EMT led to carcinogenicity in gastric cancer and may be a novel target in the diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer.